Cash for Clunkers in USA

I think the program has it's merits for decreasing fuel consumption but surely there must be better ideas for the American car industry! What are they going to do with all of the recycled steel?

Whilst fuel consumption is an issue ... to a degree .... There certainly needs to be more realistic thought put into govt thinking.

I get 25mpg out of my current 1997 4x4 in its highway running ... My last veh got 19mpg and the one before 15mpg ... Ive done my bit for world fuel stocks unless the govt wants to provide me with a 30mpg vehicle that meets my driving requirements ... at the price Im prepared to pay for what is nothing more than a box on wheels.


I would think too ... that a new vehicle probably causes more harm to the environment in the:

appropriation of construction materials,
processing of the construction materials,
assembly to completed stage,
deliveries to dealers,

and as you mention ... causing the recycling of an old one with plenty of life left in it.

Than what a well maintained old one would ever cause ....

Yes I like what you are saying here about the costs of building new vehicles. Wouldn't it be great if they built cars like they do aircraft? ie: service life of decades instead of 10 years? It seems to me that it is a catch 22 scenario. The way the system is set up encourages over consumption of energy in the turnover of vehicles to the public, not to mention every other product out there! Building cars that last forever just isn't economically viable! Society needs a system for the advancement of the human species through peaceful scientific persuits instead of the emphasis of personal/corporate wealth.

Blue,
Aircraft last that long because you have MANDATED maintenance requirements, by trained and authorised maintainers.
The fact that the only original part on some aircraft after 20+ years is the manufactures data plate is immaterial.
All this costs big bucks, however when I was working at Boeing Australia we could still get a lot of parts, both new and used for the B707's the RAAF was using for an aerial tanker, and they were late 1960's early 1970's model aircraft.
I agree with the hidden energy costs of new vehicles, I cant see too many people running out and purchasing this years Lada when the new Prado is just out of the box.......

Once you see the cost of parts needed to keep aircraft going for that long, you would give up the idea of maintaining cars the same way for a long life.

Mike DiD

At a $60,000 plus, change over figure for a new 4dr Troopy, not including the additional upgrade costs all new accessories/parts to suit the model .....

I can buy a hell of a lot of new and used spare parts for what Im currently driving ...

Planes have to be kept from falling out of the sky ... cars really only need good brakes and suspension/steering components to make them safe for other road users.

Oztroopy
as I understand it, no one was forced to cash in any cars, so if anyone sold one its by choice.
And it was a stimulus package, designed to save jobs also.

Regarding parts for aircraft, they must be new parts, or in some cases used and properly tested and certified.
Isnt the sum of a cars spare parts around 4-10 times the complete vehicle?

I think you hit the nail right on the head Timbo. The US auto industry is a basket case with (up 'til now) no way out, so put a program like this in place and see if a few more new cars get flogged off.

Cheers Pop

I think a brown paper bag would be more appropriate for Mr Garrett's head after that insulation debarcle!

Guess it wouldn't be "environmentally friendly" to use a big plastic bag.

A recycled potato sack and an axe handle would do it I reckon.

yeeee haw now thats a redneck day out i could handle

That was the whole idea-a stimulus package to kick the auto industry along, with benefit of getting old cars off the road, AFAIK?